Electrical box extension

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is an electrical box extension that includes an extending member for switch and/or plug mounting having one or more fastening brackets, one or more base fastening brackets and one or more fasteners that together with optional contact points provide for mechanical and electrical connectivity between the extending member and its associated electrical box and provide sufficient mechanical resistance to support the adjustable elevation of the elevating member thereby supporting a flush surface for surface mounted sockets, switches and their associated plates.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 10/971,921, filed Oct.21, 2004, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 10/349,746, filedJan. 21, 2003, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,820,760 on Nov. 23, 2004,which is a continuation-in-part application of Ser. No. 10/144,210,filed May 13, 2002, now abandoned, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 60/370,419, filed Apr. 4, 2002.

BACKGROUND

This invention generally relates to electrical equipment for housingelectrical devices such as switches and outlets, and particularly toelectrical box extensions.

Electrical boxes are commonly used to provide electrical service atconvenient locations within buildings. The electrical boxes are commonlyformed of plastic or metal and are usually securely fastened by screwsor nails to the framework of a structure being prepared forelectrification. In newly constructed buildings, the open face of theelectrical box, within which an electrical device such as an outlet orswitch will be mounted, is usually flush with the surface of the wall orceiling in which it is installed.

When buildings are renovated or restored or otherwise modified fromtheir original wall and ceiling surfaces, it is common for renovators tolay down new sheet stock such as sheet rock, paneling, and the like,over the existing ceilings or walls. This process of layering causes theexisting electrical boxes to become recessed within the built-up wall bythe thickness of the new sheet stock. A need for extension thereforeoccurs when the box or mud ring has been placed and then tile, brick orsome other wall covering is added thereby causing the screw mounts forplugs and/or switches to be recessed within the wall.

To solve this problem, box extenders of several different types havebeen developed. One type relies on a friction fit to hold the boxextender in the existing electrical box. This extender does not providea secure attachment to the existing box and may allow an attachedelectrical device to slide further within the box as the extender willslide based on an external force.

Another type of extender consists of an extension having walls ofapproximately the same configuration as the existing box and of fixeddepths of extension. The extender is available in several depths toaccommodate several different sheet stock thicknesses.

Although there are several depths available, the depth is notcontinuously variable resulting in an inability to consistently providea depth extension bringing the existing box flush with the outer wallsurface.

Another type of extender includes a body portion having at least onewall and open faces. The extender includes side flanges having holesthat align with brackets that are connected to the electrical box. Thisextender is difficult to use and install as brackets must be firmlyattached to the electrical box and then two screws are used to attacheach flange of the extender to the electrical box.

There remains a need to extend the electrical box with a minimal numberof parts that provide ready height adjustment while maintainingmechanical and structural soundness and electrical connectivityincluding ground, and thereby compensate for add-ons to a wall thatcause depth to be added between the box or ring and the outer wall.

SUMMARY

Disclosed is an electrical box extension including an extending memberwith one or more fastening brackets, one or more fastening brackets andone or more elevating fasteners such as a double reverse screw or astandard threaded screw with attached grommet for mechanicallyconnecting and, in the case of the double reverse screw electricallyconnecting, the extending member and the box via the fasteners,brackets, and/or ridges and thereby providing sufficient mechanicalresistance to support the adjustable elevation of the extending memberand providing a flush surface for surface mounted sockets, switches andtheir associated plates. Where a standard threaded screw is used or inembodiments without elevating fasteners or without loaded springs, theextending member provides electrical connectivity via one or moreprotrusions or projections from the sleeve against an electrical boxand/or adapting member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention and forfurther features and advantages, reference is now made to the followingdescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a top view of a reverse screw embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of a reverse screw embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of a reverse screw embodiment of thepresent invention in partial extension;

FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view of an alternative reverse screwembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a reverse screw embodiment of thepresent invention mounted on an electrical box;

FIG. 4 is a top view of a reverse screw embodiment of the presentinvention mounted on an electrical box;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a reverse screw embodiment of thepresent invention mounted on an electrical box;

FIG. 6A is a side view of a reverse screw used in an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6B is a top view of a reverse screw used in an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of thepresent invention having a bracket attached to the electrical box;

FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of thepresent invention engaging an electrical box;

FIG. 7C is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of thepresent invention engaging an electrical box;

FIG. 7D is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of thepresent invention engaging an electrical box;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an extending member of an alternativeembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a top view of a mud ring member of an alternative embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an extending member within a mud ringmember of an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11A is a top view of an assembly of an alternative embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 11B is a top view of an assembly of an alternative embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 12A is a cross-sectional view of an assembly of an alternativeembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12B is a cross-sectional view of an assembly of an alternativeembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12C is a cross-sectional view of an assembly of an alternativeembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12D is a cross-sectional view of an assembly of an alternativeembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13A is a perspective view of an extending member of an alternativeembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13B is a perspective view of an extending member portion of analternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an extending member of an alternativeembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a top view of an assembly of an alternative embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 16 is a planform view of an extending member of an alternativeembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is an extending member of an alternative embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 18 is a planform of a mud ring member of an alternative embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a top view of a mud ring member of an alternative embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 20A is a perspective view of an extending member within an adaptingmember of an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20B is a perspective view of an extending member within an adaptingmember of an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a top view of an assembly of an alternative embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 22 is a top view of a washer of an alternative embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 23A is a cross-sectional view of an assembly of an alternativeembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 23B is a cross-sectional view of an assembly of an alternativeembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 24 is a top view of an adapting member of an alternative embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 25 is a top view of an assembly of an alternative embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 26 is a top view of an adapting member of an alternative embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of an extending member of an alternativeembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of an assembly of an alternativeembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of an extending member of an alternativeembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of an assembly of an alternativeembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 31A is a front view of an elevating fastener of an alternativeembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 31B is a top view of an elevating fastener of an alternativeembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 31C is a side view of an elevating fastener of an alternativeembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 31D is a perspective view of an elevating fastener proximate toreceiving brackets of an alternative embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 31E is a perspective view of an elevating fastener within receivingbrackets of an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 31F is a perspective view of an elevating fastener engaged betweenreceiving brackets of an alternative embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 31G is a perspective view of an elevating fastener engaged betweenreceiving brackets of an alternative embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 32 is a top view of two-gang extending member embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 33 is a top view of two-gang adapting member embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 34 is a top view of two-gang assembly embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 35 is an isometric view of an example alternative extending memberof the present invention;

FIG. 36 is a top view of the example alternative extending member of thepresent invention;

FIG. 37 is a top view of alternative example of a mud ring member oradapting member embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 38 is a top view of an assembly of an alternative embodiment of thepresent invention wherein the tabs or brackets of the mud ring have beenremoved;

FIG. 39 is a perspective view of an extending member within an adaptingmember of an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 40 is a top view of an assembly of an alternative embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 41 is a perspective view of an extending member within an adaptingmember of an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 42 is a top view of an assembly of an alternative embodiment of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 43 is a perspective view of an extending member within an adaptingmember of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The extending member, or sliding tubular member, is an attachable orotherwise adjustable element of an assembly comprised of the extendingmember and a mud ring, adapting member or electrical box. A firstembodiment has at least two sets of mounting brackets, placed in each oftwo diametrically opposed corners. One bracket is placed at the base ofthe ring and extends into the open portion of the ring. The secondbracket is preferably placed proximate to the base of the extendingmember to maximize screw/extending member travel. An alternativeembodiment has the second bracket approximately midway between the baseand top of the extending member. Each bracket has a tapped entry for acombination left-right thread screw. By turning either screw, theextension is elevated or lowered such that the outer edge of theextension is made substantially flush with the wall surface. The designof the brackets and screw mounting effects a solid ground and satisfiesthe electrical grounding requirements. Embodiments without the fastenersuse protrusions from the extension and/or the ring to maintain theelectrical grounding. Additional sets of mounting brackets may berequired depending primarily upon the ring/box size. For example, anexample two-gang article has mounting brackets on the middle portion ofeach of the opposite inner sides of the adapting member.

FIG. 1 illustrates the upper screw mounting plates 4 or brackets andlower screw mounting plates 5 or brackets of the present invention thatare placed such that fastener such as a reverse thread screw 3 connectsthe at least two brackets, the upper bracket 4 and the lower bracket 5,and when rotated, the screw 3 works to lower and raise the sleeve orextending member 2 relative to the mud ring or adapting member 1. Whilea reverse thread screw 3 is shown as the fastener, other fasteners ofadjustable height that provide mechanical and electrical connectivitymay be substituted. The extending member 2, extension or sleeve is shownis a tubular member with a transversal shape that is substantiallyrectangular. The transversal shape of the extension may also becircular, oval or multifaceted depending upon the adapting member towhich it is attached. The switch/plug screw plates 6 are a part of theextension 2 or the extension 2 is embodied alternatively such that theend portions of the extension 2 fit about the plates 6. In the preferredembodiment, the lower bracket 5 is fixedly attached to the adaptingmember 1. Alternatively, the lower bracket 5 may be fixedly attached toan electrical box (not shown) or similar housing.

FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view 8 of FIG. 1 that illustrates themanner in which a screw 3 engages the upper mounting bracket 4 and lowermounting bracket 5. The lower bracket 5 is fixedly attached to the mudring or adapting member 1. The upper bracket 4 is fixedly attached tothe sleeve, extension, or extending member 2. By turning the one or morescrews 3, the extension 2 rises or falls along the axis of extension andretraction 80 or principal axis of extension depending upon thedirection of turn of the one or more screws 3. An extending memberelevated with respect to the adapting member is illustrated in FIG. 2B.An alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2C, the lower bracket 5′is attached to the ring 1, but configured with an extending portion tosupport greater screw travel and longer reverse thread screws 3′.

FIGS. 3-5 illustrate an embodiment of the present invention from variousperspectives as it is mounted on an electrical box 7. FIG. 3 provides aperspective view of an embodiment of the present invention mounted on anelectrical box 7. The extending member 2 is shown within the flange ofthe adapting member 1. A screw 3 as an example fastener is visiblemechanically connecting the extension 2 to the ring 1 by way of a lowerbracket 5 fixedly attached to the ring 1 and an upper bracket 4 fixedlyattached to the extending member 2. The upper and lower brackets arealso referred to as a set or pair of brackets 4 and 5. FIG. 4 provides atop view of the present invention mounted on an electrical box and showsthe preferred embodiment with a screw 3 and pair of brackets 4 and 5diagonally opposed from a second screw 3 and pair of brackets. The lowerbracket 5 may, in an alternative embodiment, be fixedly attached to thebox 7 and is illustrated below (FIG. 7A) in cross-sectional view 7A.FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present inventionmounted on an electrical box and illustrating a typical travel of theextending member 2 relative to the remaining screw thread.

In the preceding example embodiment, fasteners are used to providemechanical and electrical contact and provide for the adjusting of thesliding or extending member. FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate side and topviews 9 of the reverse thread screw 3 of an embodiment of the presentinvention. The screw length selected depends upon the particularembodiment used as is described in detail below.

Rather than the one or more lower brackets 5 (FIG. 2A) being fixedlyattached to the ring 1, in an alternative embodiment of the presentinvention, the one or more lower brackets 5 (FIG. 2B) are fixedlyattached to the box 7 shown in FIG. 7A in cross-section view of FIG. 4.The extending member 2 remains in electrical and mechanical contact withthe box by way of the one or more screws 3 as disclosed above byengaging the one or more upper brackets 4 and the one or more lowerbrackets 31. Depending on the dimensions of the box 7 relative to theextending member 2, a ring 1 or other adapting member thereby becomesoptional in this alternative embodiment as a separate member andotherwise the functionality of the ring 1 is taken on by the box 7. Analternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7B has at least one tappedaperture 30 of the electrical box 7 rather than the one or more lowerbrackets 31 for engaging the screw 3′. FIG. 7C illustrates an embodimentwhere in place of an adapting member or ring, the electrical box has amounting surface or bracket 31 and the extending member or slider 2 isin close proximity to the walls of the box 7. Mechanical contact andelectrical contact illustrated in FIGS. 7C and 7D are enhanced where theembodiments include one or more protrusions 55 from the slider 2 outersurface contacting at least one of the inside walls of the box 7.

An alternative embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 8has a sliding member 10 with a plurality of protrusions 14 stamped intothe sliding member wall. The protrusion is produced by at least one ofseveral fabricating means including bending the extension, punching theextension and the build-up of electrically conductive material. In thisembodiment, the sliding member is attached and its elevation relative toa mounting surface adjusted with fasteners (not shown) inserted intoattachment surface 11. A ring 12 is illustrated in FIG. 9 whereadditional attachment surfaces 13 are provided by the ring 12.Preferably, the mounting surfaces 13 are part of a stamped diecomprising the ring 12 with extended tabs 13 that are subsequentlyfolded back and under the main portion of the ring 12 or stamped so asto protrude into the main aperture and so as to be aligned with theattachment surfaces 11 of the sliding member 10 (not shown).

FIG. 10 illustrates the sliding member 10 inserted into the mainaperture of the ring 12. The protrusions of the sliding member 14 are incontact with the inner wall of the ring 12 and thereby provideelectrical and mechanical contact between the ring 12 and the slidingmember. The aperture 31 of the attachment surface 11 of the slidingmember 10 and the aperture 32 of the attachment surface 13 of the ring12 are aligned such that fasteners 15 (not shown) such as machine screwsare able to connect the surfaces by insertion into the apertures 31, 32of the surfaces 11, 13. While both the apertures of the attachmentsurfaces 11 of the sliding member 10 and the attachment surfaces 13 ofthe ring 12 may be tapped to engage a screw, a preferred embodiment hasthe attachment surfaces 11 of the sliding member 10 as a tapped aperture32 and a smooth guiding aperture 31 for the attachment surfaces 13 ofthe ring 12. An alternative embodiment has the attachment surfaces 11 ofthe sliding member 10 as a smooth guiding aperture 32 and tappedaperture 31 for the attachment surfaces 13 of the ring 12.

FIG. 11A illustrates from a top view the interaction of the protrusions14 of the sliding member 10 with the inner walls of the ring 12. In thisexample, the fasteners 15 are in place connecting surfaces of the ring10 and sliding member 12. FIG. 11B illustrates a similar embodimentwhere the brackets 11 are along the same sides as those having theplug-mounting bracket 6.

Throughout FIGS. 12A-12D, horizontal, substantially continual,protrusions 14 are illustrated. Alternative embodiments have vertical,substantially continual protrusions, arrays of hemisphericalprotrusions, and other shapes protruding from at least one of theextending member 10 outer walls. FIG. 12A is a cross-sectional view ofFIG. 11A illustrating the fastener 15 connecting with the bracketsurface of the ring 12 and the bracket surface of the sliding membersurface 11. A grommet 17 is illustrated as attached to the fastener 15at a point below the sliding member bracket surface 11 as an example ofa means of constraining the travel of the sliding member bracket surface11 along the fastener 15. Put another way, the grommet 17 is used toforce the extending member 10 to travel and secures the screw 15 towhich it is attached. FIG. 12B illustrates an embodiment where a springis placed about the fastener 15 in tension between the bracket surfaces11, 12. FIG. 12C is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 11B illustrating thefastener 15 connecting with the bracket surface of the ring 12 and thebracket surface of the sliding member surface 11. The grommet 17 isshown applying force to the extending member 10. FIG. 12D is across-sectional view of FIG. 11B at 12C where the fastener is orientedin a direction opposite to that of the fastener described in FIG. 12C.The grommet 17 is shown securing the screw 15 from travel.

An alternative embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG.13A has a sliding member 10 with a plurality of protrusions 18 fixedlyattached to the surface of the sliding member 10 wall. For purposes ofillustration, these plurality of protrusions 18 are shown running in,i.e., parallel with, the direction of travel 80 of the extending member10, that is a principal axis of extension. In alternative embodiments asillustrated in FIG. 13B with a portion of the extending member at leastone protrusion 18 on at least one outer side of the extending memberruns horizontal, i.e., perpendicular, to the direction of travel 80 ofthe extending member 10. In these embodiments, the sliding member 10 isattached and its elevation relative to a mounting surface adjusted withfasteners (not shown) inserted into attachment surface 11. In theseveral alternative embodiments of the invention, the plurality ofprotrusions 18 are pimples, ridges, or segments of electricallyconductive material fixedly attached to the surface of the slidingmember 10 wall sufficiently raising the surface of the sliding member 10wall to cause electrical and mechanical contact with the ring 12 whenthe sliding member 10 is inserted into the ring 12.

An alternative embodiment of the present invention, illustrated in FIG.14 has an extending or sliding member 10 with a plurality of protrusions18 fixedly attached to the outer wall surface of the sliding member 10and sized in elevation from the surface of the extending member 10 wallto cause friction and tension mounting when inserted into the adaptingmember or ring 12 (not shown). In this example embodiment, rather thanusing fasteners 15, the tight fitment and resulting stiction, i.e., thesticking friction between the plurality of protrusions 18 and the innerwall of the adapting member 12 sustain the mechanical and electricalcontact with the adapting member 12. Alternative protrusions for thisembodiment include pimples, ridges, or segments of electricallyconductive material fixedly attached to the outer wall surface of theextending member 10.

Alternative embodiments have the adapting ring 12 with protrusions,stamped or affixed, or otherwise, either separately or in combinationwith the sliding member 10. FIG. 15 illustrates stamped adapting memberprotrusions 21 of the adapting member 12 in combination with stampedextending member protrusions 14 of the sliding member 10. While someembodiments employ only the slider protrusions as shown in FIGS. 11 and13 other embodiments employ only adapting member protrusions as shown inFIG. 15.

FIG. 16 illustrates an example form of an alternative embodiment of theslider, or extending member, before protrusions are stamped and othershaping has taken place. FIG. 17 illustrates the alternative elevationmember 35, where the elevation member 35 is shaped into a tubular memberand connected 36, the slider bracket, or upper bracket is formed 22,from a bent tab for example. The upper bracket has an aperture 23 thatpreferably is adapted to receive a threaded fastener.

FIG. 18 illustrates a form of an alternative adapting member 37 withbracket portions 38 extended showing guiding apertures 39. Once stamped,the bracket portions are extended and shaped to provide a surface with aguiding aperture. A blank of an adapting member 37 such as the exampleof FIG. 18 may be stamped or otherwise drawn into the preferred shape,particularly with respect to the flange portion with the mountingbracket 38 preferably bent into shape. FIG. 19 illustrates a top view ofan alternative adapting member 37 having the flange portion bent intoshape with bracket portions 38 having guiding apertures 39.

FIG. 20A illustrates in a perspective view the extending member 35inserted into the ring member 37 so that the aperture 23 of the upperbracket 22 is aligned with the aperture 39 of the lower bracket 38. FIG.20B illustrates in a perspective view the extending member 35 insertedinto the adapting member 37 so that the aperture 23 of the upper bracket22 is aligned with the aperture 39 of an alternative lower bracket 38′.

FIG. 21 illustrates in a top view the extending member 35 inserted intothe adapting member 37 showing the tapped end of a screw 40 with thescrew 40 engaging the upper bracket 22 and the lower bracket 38. Alsoshown is a lock washer 41 for each screw 40. A top view of an examplelock washer 41 is shown in FIG. 22.

FIG. 23A is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 21 at 50 illustrating theengagement of the upper bracket 22 and the lower bracket 38 via theelevating fasteners 40. Where tapped screws are used 40, lock washers 41are also preferably used and grommets are used in alternativeembodiments. FIG. 23B illustrates in cross-sectional view an alternativeembodiment having springs 34 inserted between the upper brackets 22 andthe lower brackets 38. The springs 34 provide force to the extendingmember 35 and work to aid in the extension process.

In several embodiments as illustrated in the example of FIG. 24, theadapting member is first installed with a bracket having an aperture 39with lateral access 57. In this example, FIG. 25 illustrates theextending member that is inserted into the adapting member also hasapertures adapted for lateral access 58. A fastener 40 having a washer41 for example may be inserted into the aligned apertures laterally.

FIG. 26 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the adapting member 37including at least one plug/switch mounting plate 59 and in thisexample, two plug/switch mounting plates. The example embodiment of FIG.26 satisfies the typical functions of a mud ring but additionallysupports a number of extending members including the following extendingmember examples that may be subsequently installed. FIG. 27 illustratesan extending member 61 where one or more walls of the extending member61, and in this example two walls, are shaped so that the extendingmember passes around the plug/switch mounting plate by beingsubstantially semi-circular in transverse cut 62 and accordingly theextending member shape supports full travel extending member 61. FIG. 28illustrates the extending member 61 of FIG. 27 inserted within theflange portion of the adapting member 37. An alternative extendingmember 63 illustrated in FIG. 29 has a cut-out 64 along each of the oneor more walls, and in this example two walls, of the extending member63. FIG. 30 illustrates the extending member 63 of FIG. 29 insertedwithin the flange portion of the adapting member 37.

In several embodiments, one or more fasteners provide a mechanical meansof extending and retracting the slider relative to the ring. Whilescrews are preferred, other embodiments do not use fasteners and insteadrely on the stiction provided by the ring and or slider protrusionsacting against one another. An alternative to the screw faster isillustrated in FIGS. 31A-31F. In FIG. 31A, the front view of a comb pin70 is illustrated. In the top view of the comb pin 70 (FIG. 31B), agroove 71 is provided for engagement with a flat screwdriver orequivalent tool. The side view (FIG. 31C) of the comb pin 70 shows thepin to be substantially flat. In FIG. 31D, the comb pin 70 is positionedto engage 76 representative upper 72 and lower brackets 74 havingsubstantially slotted apertures 73, 75. The upper bracket 72 in thisexample is contiguous with an extending member (not shown) and the lowerbracket 74 is contiguous with a ring member (not shown). FIG. 31Eillustrates the insertion of the comb pin through the upper and lowerbrackets. With a ninety degree turn 78 of the comb pin 70, the spacing79 between the upper 72 and lower brackets 74 is fixed by the comb pinas shown in a side view in FIG. 31F. The comb pin 70 thereby providesmechanical and electrical connectivity between the upper 72 and lowerbrackets 74. FIG. 31G illustrates an alternative embodiment wherein aspring 56 surrounds the portion of the comb pin 70 between the upper 72and lower brackets 74 and is tension between these brackets 72, 74providing additional mechanical support to the extending member andelectrical connectivity between the extending member (not shown) and theadaptor or ring member (not shown).

FIG. 32 illustrates an example two-gang extending member 90 embodimentof the present invention. The switch/plug mounting plates 91 are eachpositioned to receive a switch or a plug and together mount two suchdevices in tandem. The upper brackets 92 of the elevating member 90 are,in this example, substantially aligned along a line of symmetry thatalso bisects the mounted plugs and/or switches. FIG. 33 illustrates anexample two-gang adapting member 93 embodiment of the present invention.The lower brackets 94 of the adapting member 93 are substantially alongthe same line of symmetry as the upper brackets 92 (FIG. 32) of theelevating member 90. FIG. 34 illustrates the two-gang extending memberinserted into the two-gang adapting member. As with the severalembodiments of the single switch/plug electrical box extenders describedabove, the two-gang embodiments include the various fastening andelevating means and bracket embodiments for laterally insertablefasteners as disclosed above.

An alternative embodiment of the present invention includes a circularsliding member and either rounded or square-shaped adapting plateportions adapted to detachably attach to an electrical box, for example.Oval sliding members are accommodated in a fashion substantially similarto the circular examples that follow. FIG. 35 illustrates the circularsliding member 201 with electrical device mounting plates 202 and aplurality of preferably linear protrusions 214 stamped into the slidingmember wall preferably parallel with the axis of extension as shown inthis example. The slider bracket, or upper bracket 203 connects theslider with the mud ring member by way of an elevating fastener. Theupper bracket 203 has an aperture 204 which may be tapped to engage anelevating fastener such as a screw for example.

FIG. 36 illustrates an adapting circular ring 210 with a circular baseincluding at least one plug/switch mounting plate 206 and in thisexample, two plug/switch mounting plates 206 extending from the topportion of the flange 280 of the ring 210. As an example of thefrangible device mounting plates, preferably perforations 208 or creasesallow the mounting plate 206 to be snapped or worked off of the ring210, or otherwise removed from the ring 210, enabling the sliding member201 to be inserted into the adapting member 210 by way of the flangeaperture formed or otherwise bordered by the flange inward side 250. Thelower bracket 238 provides for the connecting of the sliding member 201via the elevating fastener to the adapting ring. The lower bracket 238has a ring aperture 239 which may be tapped to engage an elevatingfastener such as a screw, where a preferred embodiment has a smoothrather than threaded guiding aperture 239. FIG. 37 illustrates analternative mud ring 290 having a square base adapting plate 291.

FIG. 38 illustrates in a top view an extending member 201 inserted intoa ring member 210 showing the tapped end of a screw 240 having a groove,where the screw 240 engages the upper bracket 203. The protrusions 214of the sliding member 201 are in contact with the inner wall 250 of theflange of the ring 210 which form the boundary of the ring aperture andthereby provide electrical and mechanical contact between the ring 210and the sliding member 201. Also shown is the remaining region of thering 109 after snapping off or otherwise removing the frangible devicemounting tabs 206 previously extending from the top edge of the flange280 of the ring member 210 into the aperture formed by the flange 280and substantially parallel to the adapting plate portion 269 of the mudring or adapting member 210. An alternative embodiment of the ringmember 210 is made without electrical device mounting tabs. FIG. 39illustrates in a perspective view the extending member 201 inserted intothe adapting member 210 so that the aperture 204, as illustrated in FIG.35, of the upper bracket 203 is aligned with the aperture 239, asillustrated in FIG. 36, of the lower bracket 238. The lower bracket 238is shown extending into the well of an example octagonal electrical box270. Also shown is the screw 240 engaging the upper bracket 203 and thelower bracket 238.

FIGS. 40-43 illustrate an alternative embodiment of an adapting ring 210with a plurality of protrusions 215 preferably stamped into the ringwall. The protrusions of the adapting ring 215 are in contact with theouter wall of the sliding member 201 and thereby provide electrical andmechanical contact between the ring 210 and the sliding member 201. FIG.40 illustrates, in a top view, the alternative embodiment where the ringprotrusions 215 contact the outer wall of the slider 201 and the sliderprotrusions 214 contact the inner wall of the flange 280 of the mud ring210. In an alternative embodiment, the slider 201 does not haveprotrusions, so that the assembly preferably relies upon the adaptingring protrusions 215 from the flange inner wall 250 for electricalconnectivity. FIG. 41 illustrates, in an isometric view, the alternativeembodiment where the ring protrusions 215 contact the outer wall of theslider and the slider protrusions 214 contact the inner wall of theflange 280 of the mud ring 210. FIG. 42 illustrates, in a top view, thealternative embodiment where the ring protrusions 215 contact the outerwall of the slider 201 and the slider protrusions 214 contact the innerwall 250 of the flange 280 of the mud ring 290 having a rectangularadapting plate 291 for detachably attaching to a rectangular electricalbox. Also illustrated is the region of the flange remaining 109 afterthe removal of the mounting plates 206, shown in FIGS. 36 and 37. FIG.43 illustrates, in an isometric view, an alternative embodiment of themud ring 290 adapted to detachably attach to a rectangular electricalbox 271 where the ring protrusions 215 contact the outer wall of theslider 201 and the slider protrusions 214 contact the inner wall of theflange 280 of the mud ring 290.

Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinaryskill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention. Therefore, it must be understood that the illustratedembodiment has been set forth only for the purposes of example and thatit should not be taken as limiting the invention as defined by thefollowing claims. While illustrated as a single assembly, the adaptingmember and, as an assembly, the extending member, are applicable to anarray of attachable electrical devices and the adapting member and theassembly are applicable to an array of assemblies mounted to electricalboxes of extended size (e.g., elongated rectangles receiving severalassemblies).

The words used in this specification to describe the invention and itsvarious embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of theircommonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition in thisspecification structure, material or acts beyond the scope of thecommonly defined meanings. Thus if an element can be understood in thecontext of this specification as including more than one meaning, thenits use in a claim must be understood as being generic to all possiblemeanings supported by the specification and by the word itself.

The definitions of the words or elements of the following claims are,therefore, defined in this specification to include not only thecombination of elements which are literally set forth, but allequivalent structure, material or acts for performing substantially thesame function in substantially the same way to obtain substantially thesame result. While the drawings reflect an electrical box, ring, oradapting member, and the sleeve, or extending member, all made ofgalvanized steel, the invention may be embodied with members each madeof plastic, preferably fire resistant plastic, metal, preferablygalvanized steel, ceramic or combinations thereof. In those embodimentshaving the electrical box, adapting member and extending member eachmade of plastics and ceramics or combinations thereof, it is preferredthat electrical conductivity be maintained by reverse thread screws asextending fasteners. In addition, the term electrical box is usedgenerically to refer to grounded electrical housing of three-dimensionalshapes including boxes of rectangular sides, boxes of square sides, andboxes of cylindrical shapes with circular or oval tops and bottoms orother shapes acceptable in the electrical applications and the groundedelectrical housing that may accommodate one or more plugs and orswitches.

In addition to the equivalents of the claimed elements, obvioussubstitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the artare defined to be within the scope of the defined elements.

The claims are thus to be understood to include what is specificallyillustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, whatcan be obviously substituted and also what essentially incorporates theessential idea of the invention.

1. An adapting member adapted to slidably attach to an extending membervia one or more fasteners, the adapting member comprising: one or moremounting brackets, each mounting bracket comprising a first portion anda tab; each tab comprising one or more guiding apertures; and a mudringintegrally connected to the one or more mounting brackets, the mudringcomprising: a base; and a flange integrally attached to a first side ofthe base; wherein the flange forms an opening adapted to receive theextending member therein when retracted; wherein each first portionprojects opposite the first side and in a direction substantiallyperpendicular from the base, and wherein each tab projects from arespective each first portion in a direction substantially parallel withthe base to a position opposite the first side of the base coincidingwith the opening, wherein the one or more guiding apertures are adaptedto engage at least one of the one or more fasteners disposed within theopening; and wherein rotation of one or more fasteners displaces theextending member relative to the flange in a direction substantiallyperpendicular to the base.
 2. The adapting member of claim 1 whereineach of the one or more fasteners comprises a grommet fixedly attachedto a portion of the fastener wherein at least one tab is disposedbetween a fastener head and a fixedly attached grommet.
 3. An adaptingmember configured to slidably attach to an extending member via one ormore fasteners, the adapting member comprising: one or more mountingbrackets, each mounting bracket comprising a first portion and a tab;each tab comprising one or more guiding apertures; and a mudringconnected to the one or more mounting brackets, the mudring comprising:a base having an aperture; and a ring portion projecting from a firstside of the base and disposed proximate to the aperture; wherein ringportion and aperture form an opening adapted to receive the extendingmember therein when retracted; wherein each first portion projectsopposite the first side of the base and in a direction substantiallyperpendicular from the base, and wherein each tab projects from arespective each first portion in a direction substantially parallel withthe base to a position behind the first side of the base and coincidingwith the opening, wherein the one or more guiding apertures are adaptedto engage at least one of the one or more fasteners disposed within theopening; and wherein rotation of one or more fasteners displaces theextending member relative to the ring portion in a directionsubstantially perpendicular to the base.